Qualifying Information/Times/TV

Qualifying: 2 laps for positions 1-42, Friday, June 12 at 3140pm/et, TV-SPEED, re-air at 1:00am/et;
AND live via radio at MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio.

RACE RUNDOWNnews and links

Mark Martin wins at Michigan: #5-Mark Martin won the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway for his 3rd win of 2009 and the 38th of his career. It was a fuel mileage race as #48-Jimmie Johnson was leading the race coming to the white flag when he ran out of gas, handing the lead to #16-Greg Biffle, who then ran out of gas on the backstretch.
#24-Jeff Gordon finished second, followed by #11-Hamlin, #99-Edwards, #16-Biffle, #42-Montoya, #14-Stewart, #2-Busch, #83-Vickers, and #33-Bowyer. Johnson fell to 22nd at the finish. There were just 3 cautions for 14 laps and there were 11 lead changes among 6 drivers.
For race results, awards and more on the Michigan Race Results Page.(6-14-2009)

Sprint Cup Series Notes from Michigan:
Mark Martin won the Lifelock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Martin scored his third victory in 2009, tying Kyle Busch for the most wins. Martin started 32nd.
There have been nine different winners in 15 races this season: Mark Martin (three), Kyle Busch (three), Jimmie Johnson (two), Matt Kenseth (two) plus Brad Keselowski, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart and David Reutimann have one win apiece this season.
Martin scored his 38th career win in his 737th start. He moved into sole possession of 17th on NASCAR's all-time wins list. It was his fifth victory in 47 races at Michigan. The last time Martin won at Michigan was June 14, 1998. Martin has scored 29 top-10 finishes in his 47 races at Michigan.
This is the 181st victory for Hendrick Motorsports. HMS has won five races at Michigan. It has won two of the past three races at Michigan.
Martin led only the final lap -- the fewest laps led by a race winner at Michigan. This is the second race in 2009 that the race winner has led only one lap (Keselowski at Talladega).
This was the sixth last-lap pass at Michigan. The last was in June 2001 when Gordon passed Ricky Rudd on the white-flag lap.
Jimmie Johnson was the leader at the halfway point. Johnson led 146 of the 200 laps. The leader of the most laps at Michigan has won four of the past six races. Ironically Johnson led the most laps in June 2008 and again today and failed to win either race. The leader at halfway has won just two of the past 16 races at Michigan.
Jeff Gordon, Sam Hornish Jr. and Joe Nemechek all dropped to the rear for engine changes. Jeff Gordon (second) was the only of the three drivers to score a top-10 finish.
Tony Stewart (seventh) has scored top-10 finishes in eight of his past 10 races.
Johnson (22nd) has led in 13 of the 15 races this season, more than any other driver.
Joey Logano (25th) was the highest-finishing rookie of the three in the race. Logano has been the highest-finishing rookie in 12 of the 15 races in 2009, including the last six.
This was the eighth victory for Chevy in 2009. Toyota has four wins, Ford has two and Dodge has one.
The top 10 consisted of five Chevys, two Toyotas, two Fords and one Dodge.
(Racing Resources/ESPN.com)(6-14-2009)

Race Fast Facts - Michigan International Speedway
Mark Martin won the LifeLock 400, his 38th victory in 737 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and eighth top-10 finish in 2009.
This is his fifth victory and 29th top-10 finish in 47 races at Michigan International Speedway.
Jeff Gordon (second) posted his 21st top-10 finish in 33 races at Michigan International Speedway. It is his 10th top-10 finish in 2009.
Denny Hamlin (third) posted his third top-10 finish in seven races at Michigan International Speedway.
Joey Logano (25th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Tony Stewart leads the point standings by 47 points over Jeff Gordon.
(NASCAR Statistics)(6-14-2009)

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Infineon:
No teams jumped into the top 35, #34-Andretti's lead over 36th increases slightly to 53 points
34) #7-Gordon/Robby Gordon: 1213, +206
35) #34-Andretti/Earnhardt Ganassi: 1060, 53 points ahead of 36ththese teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #82-Speed/Red Bull: 1007, 53 points out of 35th
37) #71-Gilliland/TRG: 899, -161
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(6-14-2009)

Pit Stall Selections - Michigan: The selections for pit stalls of the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway have been made. Pole sitter #83-Vickers chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole sitters], while outside pole sitter #18-Busch took pit stall 11 the next with an opening in front of it and #48-Johnson, who starts 3rd took stall 43, the final pit stall. See the pit selection chart on the Michigan Pit Stall Selection chart.(6-14-2009)

Race Coverage of the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2009.
TV: TNT at 2:00 pm/et; pre-race show at 12:30 pm/et; green flag approx 2:16pm/et
Radio: MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio
ESPN.com: on the ESPN.com ESPN's Racecast and Chat.
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: SPEED, Wednesday, June 17 at 12:00pm/et;

NEWS, PRACTICE, QUALIFYING and RESULTSnews and links

Happy Hour practice for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is over, the fastest:
#5-Martin 185.257
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 185.042
#83-Vickers 184.985
#16-Biffle 184.686
#33-Bowyer 184.639
slowest: #37-Raines 178.815 & #13-Papis 176.965
no speed: #66-Blaney
notes: Because of the threat of rain, NASCAR started the practice 5 minutes early and extended it 5 minutes. #2-Busch has been complaining of starter problems.
See fast speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Michigan Practice Speeds page.(6-13-2009)

First Saturday practice for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is over, the fastest:
#11-Hamlin 187.911
#5-Martin 187.480
#18-Busch 187.125
#99-Edwards 186.225
#16-Biffle 185.821
slowest: #37-Raines 179.100 & #13-Papis 168.311
no speed: #34-Andretti
notes: #48-Johnson spun in turn 4 early, but suffered no damage. #13-Papis scraped the left rear of the car on wall about 15 minutes in. The team will repair it. #16-Biffle spun with 5 minutes remaining but didn't hit anything. NASCAR is concerned about some rain moving into the area this afternoon so the session was extended by 10 minutes.
See fast speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Michigan Practice Speeds page.(6-13-2009)

Vickers on pole at Michigan: #83-Brian Vickers won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Lifelock 400 at Michigan International Speedway with a lap of 189.110mph for his 3rd pole of the year and the 8th pole of his career. #18-Kyle Busch was 2nd fastest followed by #48-Johnson, #00-Reutimann, #2-Busch, #44-Allmendinger, #42-Montoya, #9-Kahne, #33-Bowyer and #34-Andretti. Point leader #14-Tony Stewart starts 11th, #88-Earnhardt, Jr. starts 30th.
The non Top-35 drivers who made the race: #21-Elliott, #82-Speed, #71-Gilliland, #66-Blaney, #87-Nemechek, #37-Raines, #09-Marlin and #13-Papis.
The only driver who failed to qualify: #36-Skinner.
For qualifying results, starting lineup, pole progression, qualifying order, see my Michigan Starting Lineup/Qualifying Results/OrderPage.(6-12-2008)

Michigan Qualifying Notes:
Brian Vickers won the Coors Light Pole Award for the LifeLock 400 with a lap of 38.073 seconds, 189.110 mph.
This is his eighth pole in 187 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his third pole and seventh top-10 start in 2009.
This is his second pole in 11 races at Michigan International Speedway.
Kyle Busch (second) posted his 11th top-10 start of 2009 and his fifth in nine races at Michigan International Speedway.
Jimmie Johnson (third) posted his 10th top-10 start at Michigan International Speedway. It is his 12th in 15 races this season.
Scott Speed (21st) was the fastest qualifying rookie.(NASCAR Statistics)(6-12-2009)

Qualifying Order for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is posted. 44 cars/drivers are listed. Go-or-go homers will qualify at the end of the session, once the top-35 drivers are done. The first of the top-35 drivers scheduled to go out is #6-Ragan, the final top-35 driver scheduled to go out is #77-Hornish, Jr. The first go-or-go homer scheduled to qualify [36th] is #13-Papis with the final driver scheduled to qualify being #87-Nemechek. See the full qualifying order on the Michigan Qualifying Page.(6-12-2009)

Friday practice for the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway is over, the top five:
#48-Johnson 188.818
#83-Vickers 188.610
#2-Busch 188.521
#42-Montoya 188.353
#33-Bowyer 187.779
fastest go-or-go-homer: #21-Elliott at 19th
slowest: #34-Andretti 181.809 and #36-Skinner 181.616
notes: #07-Mears and #00-Reutimann both scraped the wall early in the session, but only suffered a little sheetmetal damage. #24-Gordon lost an engine midway through practice.
See fast speeds, average speeds, laps run on my Michigan Practice Speeds page.(6-12-2009)

Top-35 in Owner Points and guaranteed a starting spot at Michigan:
No teams jumped into the top 35, #34-Andretti's lead decreases the lead over 36th to 41 points
34) #7-Gordon/Robby Gordon: 1101, +146
35) #34-Andretti/Earnhardt Ganassi: 996, 41 points ahead of 36ththese teams/ drivers must qualify by speed but are close to the top-35:
36) #82-Speed/Red Bull: 955, 41 points out of 35th
37) #71-Gilliland/TRG: 832, -164
The teams are NOT locked in past the next race as the owners points change after each race.
For the owner points standings, see my Drivers/Owners Points Standings page.(6-7-2009)

What happens if qualifying gets rained out?After the 5th race of the season, the current season OWNERS points are used:
#1) - First 35 by current Owner Points [position 1-35][top 35 teams do NOT need to attempt ALL the races]
#2) - Last Years Sprint Cup Champ or the Event Champion if not already in the field
#3) - Car Owners whose team has won in the previous and current season not already in the field
#4) - Drivers who have won in the previous and current season not already in the field
#5) - ALL Past Sprint Cup Champions not in by 1 thru 4 [is NOT charged against the 6 past champ provisionals]
#6) - Qualifying Attempts [not starts] with Owners points as the tie breaker, if still tied then by best finish
#7) - Qualifying Order Position
(all above apply as long as the team was entered by the entry deadline - usually 7-13 days before the race)

NASCAR’s Robin Pemberton explains new restart rules: NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton gave an explanation Friday of the new double-file restart rules. Here are excerpts of the conversation with the media and his answers to some questions ask.SD: What is the procedure for double-file restarts?Pemberton: “When the caution comes out, the field will be frozen as it is today. The free-pass car will be identified as it is today and it will be the same format. As the cars are gathered behind the pace car, the pit road is opened for leaders, the second time by it will be open for the lap-down cars, and that is how it is today. And when we come to the one [lap]-to-go [until the green drops], the cars that have elected not to pit that are lap-down cars that will be in front of the lead-lap cars that have pitted, will be waved around to join the field at the tail end. The lineup will be on the double-file restart, lead-lap cars to the front, lap-down cars, … then it will be the free-pass car, then it will be the cars that have been waved around and then it will be the penalty cars.SD: If a guy on the lead lap opts not to pit, he’s the leader?Pemberton: Correct. Still P1 [the leader].SD: Is there an option for the lead car to select which lane?Pemberton: When we give the 1-to-go, the leader throughout the entire race will get lane choice, high or low. He has to make that choice when we come to the 1-to-go at the stripe. One other thing we have added is the free pass will take place from start to finish throughout the entire race.SD: If a car on the lead lap pits a second time with the lap-down cars, does he restart with the lap-down cars?Pemberton: He will start in his respective track position how he came off of pit road. If you have a lead-lap car who makes multiple pit stops to work on his car, he is not in that lead-lap group that pitted that first-time by. He’ll be scored where he comes off pit road [with lapped cars]SD: The lap-down cars that don’t pit and the get the wave around the leader, do they get to come all the way around to rear of the field?Pemberton: That’s correct but they will not be able to hit pit road for tires and fuel. Pit road won’t be closed but they will forfeit their wave-around status if they hit pit road for tires and fuel.SD: At tracks like Martinsville and Bristol and you’re waiting for the 1-to-go, are you anticipating that the wave around could be hard to be completed?Pemberton: There could be issues. Every track has its different set of challenges. We’ll have to address those when we get to them. The whole field will be double file so they won’t be as strung out.SD: If multiple lead-lap cars stay out, do the lap-down cars that don’t pit still get waved around?Pemberton: The only way you can be waved around is if you are between the leader and the pace car. As pit stops take place, you need to be in front of the lead-lap cars. You get waved around regardless if you’re one or two or three laps down [or more].SD: Are you going to use double-file restarts throughout the race for every race?Pemberton: Yes.SD: It was said that Trucks and Nationwide will use it later this year? Any timetable?Pemberton: It’s just later. We need to work through some of these details here. We’ve got three races in three different states [this weekend]. We want to make sure we concentrate on this [in Cup] and get everything as right as we can.(SceneDaily)(6-7-2009)

NASCAR Announces “Double-File Restarts – Shootout Style”: NASCAR announced a change to its race format with the addition of “Double-File Restarts – Shootout Style” throughout each race. Beginning with this weekend at Pocono Raceway, the first- and second-place drivers will line up side-by-side as the green flag flies for each restart. “We’ve heard the fans loud and clear: ‘double-file restarts – shootout style’ are coming to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans.”
NASCAR recently used the “double-file” format for its non-points NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, which produced an unpredictable finish. The format will be adapted for the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in the near future. Under the previous format, cars on the lead lap would restart in a single-file line while cars that had been lapped would start in a line next to them.
Under the new format, the race leader will have the option to restart on the inside or outside lane. The second-place driver would then restart next to the leader. Regardless of where the leader starts, drivers in odd number positions (3rd, 5th, 7th places, etc.) will restart on the inside lane, while drivers in even number positions (4th, 6th, 8th places, etc.) will restart on the outside. All restarts will use the same format regardless of the number of laps remaining in the race.
The first-place driver will continue to control the timing of restarts in a designated zone on the track. Likewise, cars are to stay in line until they reach the start/finish line. The first eligible car a lap or more down will continue to earn one lap back following a caution, which is known as the “free pass.” However, a new element beginning this week will be that the “free pass” will remain in effect the entire race [before it was all race until 10 or less laps to go, then none was awarded]. Lapped cars choosing to remain on the track will be “waved around” the caution car and will restart the race in respective track position, thus picking up a lap to the leader provided the leader also pits. This will also remove lapped cars from behind the pace car, allowing the leaders to take the green without interference [so the leader will not restart in the middle of the pack].(NASCAR)(6-4-2009) Comment here

Go or Go Home Drivers to Qualify Together: NASCAR announced in January that starting with the Cup race at California, teams outside the top 35 in owners points will be allowed to qualify together at the end of the qualifying session. The Nationwide and Truck Series used this procedure at Daytona. Sprint Cup didn't use the new procedure at Daytona due to the unique/somewhat complicated qualifying session/races there. The thought is that nobody would have an advantage in track conditions.

How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph

How to break a tie during qualifying? (same speed/time) When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is broken by owners points standings(not drivers).

Determining Race Line-Ups - Top 35 Guarantee: At the start of the 2005 season, NASCAR instituted a new procedure for establishing the starting race field in the Sprint Cup Series [NSCS]. NASCAR revamped the system by simplifying the procedure with teams no longer accruing provisionals throughout the season to gain entry into the starting fields. While starting positions one through 42 in the NSCS still will be determined by qualifying speed, the new system will assure the highest-ranked 35 positions of the NSCS OWNER [not Driver] championship points that have entered the event prior to the entry deadline [usually 13 days before the day of the race] one of those starting positions in the field, providing they have made an attempt to qualify [which usually means the team at least practiced and made an effort to qualify].
The remaining seven positions [36-42] will be assigned to those drivers with the fastest qualifying speeds whose car owners are not among the top 35. The final starting position [43rd] – the champion’s provisional – can be utilized by a car owner whose driver is a current or past Sprint Cup champion who participated as a driver during the current of previous season and was entered in the event for that owner in that car prior to the entry deadline.
If there is more than one series champion vying for the position, it will be given to the most recent series champion. If the final provisional starting position – 43rd in the Sprint Cup – is not filled by a current or past series champion, it will be assigned to the next eligible car owner according to qualifying results.
Through the first five races of the season for the Sprint Cup, the top 35 in the NSCS of the previous owner championship points entered in the event prior to the entry deadline will be assured one of the 42 starting positions in the field, provided they have made an attempt to qualify. From the sixth race on, the current owner championship points will be used to determine the top 35 each race week. In the event that conditions prevent qualifying from being run, starting positions will be assigned according to the respective series’ current Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)Simple: so the field is set by speed to where the 7th fastest non-top 35 driver is on speed. The any drivers in the top 35 of OWNERS [not drivers points] are placed to the 42nd spot. The 43rd spot is used for the most recent past Sprint Cup champion NOT already in the field from being in the top-35 in owners points or one of the seven no top-35. If their is not past champ for the 43rd spot, it goes to the next fastest [8th fastest driver]

Past Champions Limited To 6 Provisional Berths in Sprint Cup: NASCAR announced an update to the past champion’s provisional rule in the Sprint Cup Series for 2007. Beginning this season, a past champion’s provisional may be used by an eligible driver a maximum of six times over the course of the season. In addition, a team with a past champion eligible driver may only use this provisional a maximum of six times during a season. Previously, there was no limit on usage of the past champion’s provisional over the course of the 36-race season. The provisional gives the eligible driver the 43rd and final starting position in the race field. "As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed,” said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport.”(NASCAR PR)
This is only for a team/driver OUTSIDE the top-35 in owners points, drivers whose team is in the top-35 in owners points, would already be guaranteed in the field and not need the Past Champions Provisional.
See my 2009 Past Champions Provisional Page for more.

RACE RECORDS, NOTES, RULES and NEWS

Six CURRENT Race Tracks Johnson has never won: There are six current race tracks the Sprint Cup Series runs on that #48-Jimmie Johnson has not won at [a Sprint Cup race], plus Johnson ran five races at Rockingham and didn't win:
Bristol: 0 for 15 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2004 and 3/2009
Michigan: 0 for 14 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Sonoma: 0 for 7 with a best finish of 5th in 6/2004
Chicago: 0 for 7 with a best finish of 2nd in 7/2004 & 7/2008
Watkins Glen: 0 for 7 with a best finish of 3rd in 8/2007
Homestead: 0 for 8 with a best finish of 2nd in 11/2004
(3-22-2009)

At Michigan International Speedway:
• Michigan International Speedway sits on more than 1,400 acres in the Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan. Groundbreaking took place on Sept. 28, 1967.

• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan was held June 15, 1969.

• The track was known as Michigan Speedway during the time Roger Penske was the primary owner (1996-99).

• The first NASCAR Nationwide Series race was held on Aug. 15, 1992.

• The first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Michigan was held on July 24, 1999.

• There have been 79 NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Michigan International Speedway since the first race there in 1969. Other than 1973, which had just one race, there have been two races each season since 1969.

• The first Michigan race was 500 miles in length; the second was scheduled for 600. The track was re-measured to 2.04 miles for the last race in 1970 and both races in 1971 – with the race distance being 402 miles. All other Michigan races have been scheduled for 400 miles.

• Donnie Allison won the first pole at Michigan.

• The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was won by Cale Yarborough.

• There have been 39 different pole winners at Michigan; 18 drivers have more than one.

• 30 different drivers have won races, led by David Pearson (nine); 18 drivers have more than one victory there.

• The race winner has started from the pole 15 times, the most productive starting position.

• 62 of 78 races have been won from a top-10 starting position, including 45 from the first four spots. However, five of the past eight winners have started outside the top 10.

• The deepest in the field a race winner has started was 28th by Tony Stewart in 2000. Last season, Carl Edwards started 27th en route to his victory.

• The Wood Brothers and Roush Fenway Racing both have won 11 races at Michigan, more than any other car owners.

• There have been two green-white-checkered races at Michigan: the rain-delayed 2007 3M Performance 400, which was run on Tuesday (203 laps) and June 2008 (203 laps).

• There have been seven different pole winners in the past eight Michigan races. Qualifying was canceled in June 2008.

• Carl Edwards has finished on the lead lap in all nine of his Michigan races and is the only driver with more than one race there who has completed all of his possible laps.

Year of the NCO scheme for Gordon at MIS: This weekend at Michigan, the National Guard's "Year of the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO)" program will be showcased on the hood of the #24 DuPont/National Guard Chevy of Jeff Gordon. The Secretary of the Army established 2009 as the Year of the NCO in recognition of these soldiers' commitment to service and willingness to make great sacrifices on behalf of our nation. Referred to as the "Backbone of the Army," NCOs will be recognized throughout 2009. Visit nationalguard.com/JeffGordon to learn more about the program. On Oct. 6, 2008, Staff Sgt. Michael Noyce Merino, a Montana National Guard combat veteran and cattle rancher, was named the Army's 2009 "Best Warrior" and "Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year" at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C. As the first National Guardsman to achieve the title of NCO of the Year, Merino will represent the Army and National Guard at pre-eminent soldier events throughout 2009 and will be a guest at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.(HMS), see image of the hood on my #24 Team Schemes page.(6-12-2009)

New sponsor for Sorenson at MIS #43-Reed Sorenson heads to Michigan International Speedway (MIS) this weekend with a new sponsor, Reynolds Wrap, on the hood of the famous #43. Reynolds Wrap is serving as the primary sponsor of the #43 Dodge for the first time. For more information on Reynolds Wrap, Reynolds products or easy recipe ideas please visit www.ReynoldsKitchen.com.(RPM), see image of the scheme on my #43 Team Schemes page.(6-12-2009)

Newman's car to salute Army's birthday: How sweet would it be for Ryan Newman to capture a win at his home track on the day his primary sponsor celebrates its 234th birthday. "Very sweet and very special," said Newman, whose recent hot streak has catapulted him to fourth place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup driver point standings. "We've been on a nice roll lately but victory has eluded us and that's our ultimate goal." It will be the U.S. Army's 234th birthday on Sunday. The military branch, which sponsors Newman's Chevy Impala SS, was born on June 14, 1775. The June 14th birthday also coincides with Flag Day. Newman's special weekend at MIS also includes involvement with the sponsorship of the Racing for Wildlife 200 ARCA race on Friday. Racing for Wildlife is a national initiative of the Ryan Newman Foundation and the Conservation Fund. One of the projects of Racing for Wildlife is partnering with MIS, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan United Conservation Club to renovate Cedar Lake Outdoor Center in the Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea, Mich, approximately 25 miles from MIS. As an environmental advocate, Newman will take part in a tree-planting ceremony Friday in the MIS campground, which is part of NASCAR's new Green Flag Tree Planting program.(US Army Racing/SHR), see an image of the scheme on my #39 Team Schemes page.(6-10-2009)

Carhartt returns to the #17: The #17 Ford Fusion of Matt Kenseth will again carry Carhartt paint scheme this weekend at Michigan. Kenseth took the checkered flag at California in the last Carhartt race. Carhartt will serve as the primary two more times this season at New Hampshire in Sept. and Charlotte in Oct.(RFR), see images of the scheme on my #17 Team Schemes page.(6-10-2009)

Bowyer to run special Cheerios scheme: Clint Bowyer’s #33 Chevy will sport a “heart healthy” paint scheme this week at Michigan International Speedway as Cheerios, along with Richard Chidlress Racing president and CEO Richard Childress kick off a month-long program encouraging race fans to take care of their hearts. Thanks to a donation from Bowyer, Camp Alexander, located in Bowyer’s hometown of Emporia, Kan., will have enough money to operate their camp the rest of the summer, according to Kay Calvert, chairwoman of Camp Alexander’s board of directors.(RCR). MIS and Cheerios are teaming up for a “Good for the Heart” walk for fans at this year’s LifeLock 400, more info about the walk on my Racing Charities page.(6-9-2009)

The #7 “Rocks” in Michigan: The #7 Jim Beam Team of Robby Gordon will host Kid Rock along with featuring a special Red Stag by Jim Beam/ Kid Rock paint scheme for the upcoming LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. This coincides with the recent announcement of Red Stag by Jim Beam’s partnership with multi-platinum superstar, Kid Rock, as a headline sponsor of Kid Rock’s 2009 Rock N’ Rebels Tour, which will hit 25 cities across North America this Summer. Kid Rock will kick off the Red Stag by Jim Beam partnership on June 14, when the Detroit native will serve as Grand Marshal of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 race at Michigan International Speedway. Fifty cents from every ticket sold for Kid Rock's upcoming concert tour will be donated to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to America's military veterans returning home to their families. Through their support of Operation Homefront, Red Stag and Kid Rock will help fund emergency aid, moving assistance, computer programs and care packages in local chapters throughout the country. Red Stag, an all-new cherry-infused offspring of the world’s No. 1 selling bourbon is scheduled to launch in June and is the latest innovation from Beam Global Spirits & Wine Inc.(RGM), see an image of the scheme on my #7 Team Schemes page.AND Robby Gordon Motorsports has a limited number of open races during the 2009 Sprint Cup Series season including the June 21, 2009 road course race in Sonoma, CA. More info at robbygordon.com for more sponsorship information.(6-9-2009)

Truex Jr. to have GE Reveal as sponsor for two races: Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and GE Lighting announced that the GE Reveal Light Bulb brand will be the primary sponsor on the #1 Chevy of Martin Truex Jr. for races this weekend, June 14 at Michigan and the following race at Infineon Raceway on June 21st. The light bulbs bring Clean, Beautiful Light to any space.
The #1 Chevy’s bright blue design draws inspiration from the blue coloring of an unlit GE Reveal light bulb. Race fans should be sure to look for the iconic GE script logo on the hood of the #1 Chevy along with the rainbow-hued logo of GE Reveal running down the car’s quarter panels. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.(EGR), see an image of the scheme on my #1 Team Schemes page.(6-8-2009)

Majestic to perform Saturday night concert at MIS: NASCAR fans will be treated to live entertainment in the New Holland Fan Plaza throughout the June race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The headlining musical entertainment act on Saturday night is “Majestic,” a tribute band to the band Journey. Majestic is scheduled to hit the stage around 6:20pm Saturday. Opening for Majestic will be crowd favorite cover band, “The River,” who has played numerous times at MIS and developed a huge local following, especially from the track’s infield crowd. The River will play right after the checkered flag for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, around 4:30pm.Moving the June, Saturday night concert from the speedway’s Lot 10 to the New Holland Fan Plaza area will allow more race fans to experience live entertainment at MIS. Past concerts have required a Saturday event ticket, yet many of the campers at MIS and surrounding private campgrounds don’t purchase Saturday tickets. There will be bands playing in the New Holland Fan Plaza on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting as early at 9am each day. A full lineup will be posted on MISpeedway.com. Tickets are on sale by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto the new MISpeedway.com. Michigan International Speedway.(MIS)(6-11-2009)

Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz Chosen as Honorary Starter: Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter for Sunday’s LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Schwartz, who will begin his first season as the Lions’ head coach this fall, not only loves football, but shares a love of NASCAR, as well. “I’m a big NASCAR fan,” he said. “So to be involved with the race, in the shadow of Detroit, The Motor City, is an absolute thrill. I’ve always been impressed with the incredible loyalty of NASCAR fans. They stick with their teams and drivers thru thick and thin. They have the same type of passion and loyalty Lions’ fans have for our football team.” The honorary starter duties include waving the green flag to start the race. Schwartz will also receive a pace car ride from NASCAR’s official pace car driver Brett Bodine and attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers’ meeting with members of the Detroit Lions football team. Grand Marshal Kid Rock will give the command at 2:07pm on Sunday, starting the LifeLock 400, followed by Schwartz, who will wave the green flag at 2:16pm. Great seats are available by calling 800-354-1010 or logging onto MISpeedway.com. Michigan International Speedway.(MIS)(6-10-2009)

Round 1 Fan MIS appreciation winners announced: The first round of prizes have been awarded in Michigan International Speedway's fan appreciation program. Winners in Round 1 will be notified via e-mail or phone call that they have won prizes. All prizes may be claimed at the speedway's Mobile Ticket Display in the New Holland Fan Display area at MIS this weekend. In Round 2, a second wave of drawings will be held for prizes that will be awarded during the June race weekend. Everyone, even ticket-holders, who want to be considered in the second wave of drawings must register at the speedway’s Mobile Display Trailer in the New Holland Fan Display at MIS from June 12-14. More info at MISpeedway.com.(6-9-2009)

New emergency texting available to race patrons:International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has partnered with InStadiumSolutions to implement a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 motorsports facilities. The service was introduced last weekend during the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup races at Darlington Raceway. The system allows fans to communicate with the racetrack's command post if assistance is needed inside the facility. The technology was tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway last November during the final weekend of the NASCAR season. Instructions will be posted throughout each racetrack and will be broadcast through audio and video public announcements. Besides Darlington and Homestead-Miami, ISC owns and/or operates Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Richmond, Auto Club Speedway, Kansas, Phoenix, Chicago, Martinsville and Watkins Glen. The Fan Text Messaging Service is also being used by several professional and college teams, as well as at events such as the Super Bowl, BCS National Championship and World Baseball Classic.(Associated Press)(5-14-2009) Comment here

Michigan Speedway forms non-profit entity: Michigan International Speedway officials announced the establishment of MIS Cares, a 501 c (3) non-profit entity under the umbrella of the NASCAR Foundation. MIS Cares will serve as the liaison between the speedway and all of the charitable causes the speedway supports. The focus of MIS Cares is to raise money and distribute the charitable dollars through grants to non-profit groups in the region. MIS Cares will begin accepting grant applications in early 2010 and will award financial gifts twice annually. Through MIS Cares, race fans and the general public will have opportunities to become involved with the many community service projects MIS supports.(Michigan Speedway PR)(4-24-2009)

First phase of master plan includes new suite, media center for MIS: Michigan International Speedway officials announced the first phase of a broad master plan that includes a significant redesign of the speedway’s infield. Phase One of the plan, approved by the speedway’s parent company, International Speedway Corporation, includes a more than $17 million reconstruction of the current terrace suites and media center in the track’s infield. Demolition and construction will begin immediately following the track’s August NASCAR weekend and will be ready for the 2010 season at the track. The two-story design calls for 30 corporate suites that span the second floor of the structure. A number of the suites will include movable walls so areas can expand or decrease based on partners’ needs, building upon MIS’ philosophy to tailor custom packages to each partners’ business goals. The structure’s first floor is a state-of-the-art media, technology and meeting center. Print, radio and TV journalists, including their photographer counterparts from across all news mediums, will have ample space to work and cover MIS’ popular events. Separate rooms for large press conferences and competitor meetings will also be housed on the first floor, near a new kitchen and press dining area. The suite and media center project was designed by Rossetti Associates. The Southfield, Mich., architecture, planning and design firm has created a host of sporting venues from Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions and the NCAA’s 2009 men’s basketball Final Four, to The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. The company has an impressive portfolio of sporting, residential, commercial and educational projects across the country and around the world including Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. and Sungui Stadium in Incheon, Korea. The scope of Phase One of the project includes modifying pit road and the current fire lane. The speedway’s fueling station in the garage will also be moved. The project is the largest at MIS since the construction of the suite tower in 2005. In that venture, the speedway’s motorsports fan display area was also expanded and paved. Future hopes for the speedway include an eventual Phase Two of an infield renovation to create a fan walk-style entertainment area with fan-accessible garages, along with reconfigured and enhanced infield campsites.For tickets, camping and pit passes for all MIS events, call the speedway toll free at 800-354-1010 or log onto MISpeedway.com.(MIS PR)(4-17-2009)

Will Martinsville lose a race? Michigan? Kansas Speedway has resubmitted its bid for a casino overlooking Turn 2, a plan that was put on hold a few months ago cause of the troubled economy. When it's approved by the gaming commission Kansas Speedway will petition NASCAR for a second annual Sprint Cup race. That will probably happen in 2011. Lesa France Kennedy is the president of International Speedway Corp., which owns Kansas Speedway and 11 other facilities that play host to Cup events. The France family has controlling interest in ISC, which is headquartered in the same building as the NASCAR offices in Daytona. NASCAR chairman Brian France is Lesa's brother. But NASCAR won't add a race. Cup has too many events now at 36 points races and two all-star events. So the second Kansas date will need to come from another ISC track. Martinsville, an ISC track and the oldest facility in NASCAR, was thought to be the location that would lose a race. Don't count on it. Martinsville is the new Bristol. The resurfaced track at Bristol has eliminated much of the bumping, banging and crashing that made the short track so popular. That leaves Martinsville as the best bumper-bashing facility left. NASCAR officials aren't going to mess that up and take a race away from the old Virginia track, a move that would cause a revolt by many fans. Martinsville appears safe for keeping both Cup dates until ISC manages to build a new short track (probably more like the .75-mile oval at Richmond) in a big market like Denver or Seattle. That's a long way off, several years at least. So which ISC track will lose a Cup date to Kansas? Most fans would opt for Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., but Michigan Speedway might be the odd-place out. Sponsors want to race twice at ACS because it's in the second largest market in the country. Michigan, an almost identical track to ACS but 30 years older, lies in one of the most depressed areas of the country. Thousands of people in the Detroit market are out of work because of the layoffs in the auto industry. Being in the backyard of GM, Chrysler and Ford's headquarters was a big reason Michigan had played host to two Cup races a year since 1969. No one knows whether all three automakers will survive. Michigan Speedway also could become a victim of the problem. How things go this season and 2010 will go a long way toward determining which ISC track loses a race to Kansas.(ESPN Insider)(4-3-2009)

Michigan DOT amd MIS partner up on R&D Testing: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Michigan International Speedway (MIS) announced a unique partnership for research, development and safety innovation that could serve as a catalyst for job creation and growth opportunities for the state. MDOT and MIS have entered into a partnership to use and market the Brooklyn-based racetrack and its existing road course to agencies that manufacture and develop connected vehicle technologies. The partnership will give automakers and after-market providers the ability to test and develop connected vehicle systems in a closed, private and neutral environment. Connected vehicle technologies allow cars to “talk” to one another to prevent collisions and improve mobility and fuel efficiency. In November 2008, MDOT announced plans to deploy these advanced transportation technologies along the Telegraph Road corridor in Oakland County. The agency must test the system on a closed track, and MIS was chosen.
The use of MIS as a private road test facility is one of the final pieces that puts Michigan at the forefront of this industry-defining technology. Already home to more than 80 percent of the automotive R&D in the United States, a united effort between MIS, MDOT, Connected Vehicle Proving Center (CVPC), Center for Automotive Research (CAR), and others are under way to make Michigan the center for connected vehicle technology, development and testing. A 2007 study by Michigan State University and CAR has shown any state that successfully pulls together a fully functioning “lab to assembly line” system with connected vehicle technology, will create between 16,000 and 41,000 high tech jobs and contribute between $177 and $448 million in state income tax revenues.
At MIS, automakers and after-market providers will be able to test and develop connected vehicle systems and other technologies in a protected, closed, safe and convenient environment. Combined with MDOT’s Telegraph Road corridor project, Michigan can now offer a connected vehicle test and evaluation laboratory on both public and private roads. MIS, which served as an AMC test track for several years starting in the mid-1970s, has two 1.9-mile road courses that would be used for testing. The two-mile oval, which is used by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during the track’s two race weekends, could also be used for testing. In all, the racetrack is comprised of 1,400 acres, most of which the staff would consider for testing locations if a private company needed a specific terrain or environment. Testing will be available year-round with the exception of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in June and August. The road course testing project will expand the MIS footprint beyond NASCAR racing and continue the racetrack’s public-private partnership with the state. The racetrack, located in the Southeastern Michigan town of Brooklyn, is conveniently located near 80 percent of the world’s automotive engineering and R&D companies and leading universities.(MIS PR)(1-28-2009)

Next round of MIS Capital Improvement Projects approved: With an additional $7 million approved for various capital improvement projects for the 2009 season, Michigan International Speedway is once again investing in its property to enhance the fans race experience. With the additional spending, MIS will have spent approximately $20 million total on improvements for fans since 2006. Projects scheduled for completion before the 2009 season will include “phase 3” of the improved grandstand seating in Turn 1, continued installation of way-finding signage around the MIS property and a new state-of-the-art sound system. All projects are a direct result of fan feedback and a progressive effort from the speedway to make the race experience better for its fans. Phase 3 of the Turn 1 grandstand project is already under way with three more of the old silver grandstands currently being torn down by construction crews and MIS personnel. Similar to the previous two years, the old grandstands will be replaced with new grandstands, which have wider seats, seatbacks and more leg room. The overall project began in 2006 and does not add seats, but merely replaces old ones. Phase 2 of the installation of way-finding signage around the MIS property will also begin in the fall. Prior to the 2008 season, phase 1 signage was installed throughout MIS. The branded signage was an immediate success by helping pedestrians, motorists and campers find their way in, out and around the 1,400-acre racetrack property. Phase 2 signage will be constructed in the Motorsports Fan Plaza, on the backs of the grandstands and around main entrances to the track.
Additionally, a new state-of-the-art public address system will be installed around the track. The project will replace the old trackside PA system and add speakers under the grandstands, at the ticket gates and throughout the Motorsports Fan Plaza. The new PA system will replace one that is 40 years old. ICOMM, based in Wixom, Mich., has handled all audio and video issues at the track since 1980. MIS will continue to use and consider Michigan-based companies in all of its capital improvement projects this off season. A vast majority of the $20 million spent since 2006 has been with Michigan-based contractors. Deposits for the 2009 season are being accepted until Friday, Jan. 2 by calling the MIS ticket office. Deposits can be redeemed on Jan. 19 and 20. Placing a deposit allows customers to purchase tickets and camping after the renewal process but before they go on sale to the public.
Tickets and camping will go on sale to the general public beginning on Saturday, Feb. 15 during the season-opening Daytona 500. For additional information, call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010.(MIS PR)(9-9-2008)

MIS makes races more affordable for fans in 2009: Michigan International Speedway is offering new lower-priced ticket options to make Sprint Cup Series events more affordable for its fans in 2009. Highlights of the pricing changes include a $40 general admission ticket for the track’s Sprint Cup Series races. The Sprint Cup Series returns to the Irish Hills in 2009 on June 14 and August 16. Children 12 and under will also be admitted free of charge in the general admission area only to those events. These tickets will be available in grandstands 14 and 16, between turns 3 and 4. Additionally, ticket prices will also be lowered in upper rows 55-70 of the Turn 3 grandstand by $15. Those seats, formally $110, are now $95. Parking will remain free of charge at Michigan International Speedway, and the speedway will continue to allow fans to bring in their own food and beverages in 6x6x12-inch bags. Camping prices will also remain the same. The speedway charges a flat rate for the entire length of stay, and some of the 10 campgrounds at MIS are open up to a full seven days for one fee. For more information on 2009 pricing, seating and camping, please visit MISpeedway.com or call the MIS Ticket Hotline at 800-354-1010.(MIS PR)(9-5-2008)

Notes: Teams in the two NASCAR series in action at Michigan this weekend will be running slightly different tire set-ups . . . while Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck teams will run the same left-side tire code (D-4134), they will be running different right-side codes . . . in the Cup Series, this is the same right-side tire code (D-4186) that teams ran two weeks ago at Dover . . . teams in this series should be very familiar with this left-side code, having run it eight times in 2008 and at Dover in 2009 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Michigan . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

DRIVER/TEAM/TESTING NEWS

See the 2009 Team Chart, which has links to past news for each team and info on each team.